DEERE MARK can deliver trainer Sam Thomas his second big winner on successive Saturdays by landing the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (1.50) at Kelso on Saturday.
Last weekend, Our Power took Kempton Park’s Coral Trophy back to South Glamorgan – and going-places six-year-old Deere Mark has stand-out claims of giving Denman’s 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup jockey another signature success.
The son of Pether’s Moon made it third time lucky over hurdles when scoring at Hereford four days before Christmas. And Deere Mark followed up when making his first foray into handicap company at Kempton in the middle of January.
Sent off the 15-8 market leader against six rivals, my selection eased to the front approaching the final flight under Sam Twiston-Davies – Adam Wedge is on board today – to beat Kaleb by a length and a half.
Under the circumstances, a 6lb rise in the weights was to be expected, and Deere Mark has the untapped potential to stay ahead of the handicapper and snare the £51,440 first prize.
LE MILOS rates a worthy favourite for the Listed bet365 Premier Chase (3.35).
Dan Skelton took charge of the son of Shirocco from Tim Vaughan this season and Le Milos opened his account for his new yard at the first time of asking at Bangor-On-Dee in November.
Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup was next on his agenda and Le Milos ground out a stirring half-length supremacy over Remastered.
That performance earned Le Milos a 4lb penalty for this assignment but the Grand National hope has had just nine attempts over fences and should go to Aintree on the back of another win.
Skelton and brother Harry should also hit the bullseye with SHOLOKJACK in the opening bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.15).
The seven-year-old came down at the second obstacle on his fencing debut at Uttoxeter in December but made handsome amends with a 12-length humbling of Enzo D’Airy at Lingfield Park on New Year’s Eve.
Even a 12lb thumping from the assessor may not be enough to prevent him from going in again.
After a fine third to Tahmuras in the top-level Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown last time out, NEMEAN LION should make use of a step down in class for the Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (2.25).
Edward Austin and DANCEWITHTHEWIND have linked up to good effect at Wetherby and Kelso on the son of Jeremy’s last two visits to the track and the pair again look a potent combination in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (3.00).
GEMIRANDE can add to an impressive record over fences with a victory in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2.45) at Newbury.
The Venetia Williams-saddled seven-year-old has had eight starts over the larger obstacles and has yet to finish out of the first three, including a trio of successes
Gemirande was back in the winner’s enclosure after landing a handicap chase at Southwell in November by seven and a half lengths.
And, on the back of a second at Sandown Park in January, my selection was back in business with a five-and-a-half-length call at Wetherby four weeks ago.
The handicapper has reacted with a 6lb rise in the weights to a new mark of 132, so Charlie Deutsch’s mount needs to pull out more.
But it will be a surprise if Gemirande, who is proven on drying terrain, hasn’t got more to offer as he bids to bag the biggest prize of his career so far.
Ben Pauling continues to enjoy his best season and the Gloucestershire trainer’s WHATSUPWITHYOU gets the vote for the BetVictor Non-Runner-No-Bet At Cheltenham Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle (2.10).
Shantou’s son doubled his account over obstacles with a nose call on good ground at Uttoxeter last April.
Whatsupwithyou faded out of contention when fourth to Sayadam at Fontwell Park in November on his comeback but showed more on the figures with a fifth to Grey Dawning on the King George undercard at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Another step forward will put Luca Morgan’s partner, whose British Horseracing Authority rating of 119 is 18lb below his peak, in the firing line.
DOES HE KNOW is capable of giving his rivals weight and a beating in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3.15) at Doncaster.
Kim Bailey trained the eight-year-old along an upward curve as a novice chaser last season – Does He Know scored three times from five attempts.
On the back of wind surgery, the son of Alkaased came down at the first fence when making his comeback at Kelso in October.
But David Bass’s mount was back in business at Cheltenham’s November meeting with a length-and-three-quarters beating of Eva’s Oscar.
Does He Know wasn’t discredited with a third to Zanza in the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury three weeks ago and, back in handicaps, a British Horseracing Authority rating of 157 looks within reach.
A third victory of the campaign awaits for XCITATIONS in the Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase (1.30).
The Pam Sly-saddled son of Universal was at the top of his game over this course and distance and at Sandown Park either side of New Year.
After a blip at Doncaster on his penultimate outing, Xcitations came up against a well-treated rival in Prince Escalus at Wetherby last month but this is a good opportunity for Sam Twiston-Davies’ partner to get back to winning ways.
Newsboy's Saturday racing tips
DONCASTER
1.00 PARK HILL DANCER
1.30 XCITATIONS
2.05 SERGEANT WILSON
2.40 APPLE AWAY
3.15 DOES HE KNOW
3.50 SWEET WILL
4.25 FRINGILL DIKE
5.00 WILLMOUNT
KELSO
1.15 SHOLOKJACK
1.50 DEERE MARK (NB)
2.25 NEMEAN LION
3.00 DANCEWITHTHEWIND
3.35 LE MILOS
4.10 PLANET LEGEND
4.45 GANDHI MAKER
LINGFIELD PARK
1.20 DAHEER
1.56 TONE THE BARONE
2.31 HUL AH BAH LOO
3.06 ICONIC MOMENT
3.41 SAUSALITO
4.16 FAIR AND SQUARE
4.51 GOT BRIGHT
NEWBURY
1.40 DE RASHER COUNTER
2.10 WHATSUPWITHYOU
2.45 GEMIRANDE
3.25 ARTISTIC CHOICE
4.00 PONCHO
4.35 NEON MOON
5.10 SEEYOUINMYDREAMS
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.30 VICTORIA FALLS
6.00 SOMEDAYONEDAYNEVER
6.30 LANDLORDTOTHESTARS
7.00 TONDEUSE
7.30 GENTLE FIRE
8.00 FAST FORWARD (NAP)
8.30 LOST IN TIME
